Auto Almanac
Drawing Board
2011 Nissan Quest: Just when you thought the minivan category was heading for freefall, Nissan announces that it will join Honda in completely retooling its people mover for the 2011 model year. The few images that have been released of the next-generation Quest show a somewhat traditional-looking shape with a stylish dashboard and boxy rear end to maximize passenger and cargo room. No word as to the selected powerplant, but a 3.5-liter V-6 producing about 275 horsepower would seem about right.
You Auto Know
n The first person to achieve a speed greater than 60 mph in an automobile was Camille Jenatzy of France, who officially reached 65.79 mph in an electric car back in 1899.
n Ransom E. Olds' first vehicle was a steam-powered three-wheeler built in 1893. However, by 1896 he had switched to more efficient gasoline engines.
Who am I?
Read the following clues to guess his secret identity.
1) Born in Germany, he never really picked a profession until he was 30.
2) Although not a "car guy" (he was interested in business), he later accepted a job with Volkswagen in 1954.
3) He popularized the VW Beetle outside of Germany and eventually became head of the company, a position he held for 11 years.
4) He turned Audi into an upscale brand and broadened VW's lineup beyond economy cars. He retired in 1992.
ANSWER: If you could credit one person with VW's success, it would be Carl Hahn.
What's up, auto doc?
Which is better: a V-6 that can be a four-cylinder when it wants to be or a four-cylinder that acts like a V-6 when it needs to be? A few years ago, buyers were bombarded with news about cylinder deactivation, whereby an engine can shut down half of its cylinders when they're not needed. For example, Chrysler's 5.7-liter V-8 can shut down half its cylinders in idle and light cruise situations. Now it appears that starting with a smaller engine and bolting on a power adder such as a turbocharger is the way to go. Both ideas try to adapt the engine to provide fuel economy or power, but go at it from completely different angles. One of the reasons that smaller engines with turbocharging are gaining popularity is because they're physically smaller, which makes them easier to package, and because they're generally lighter, and less weight means better fuel economy. You can share your tips at www.wheelbase.ws/media by clicking the "contact" link.
eBay watcH
1956 Chevrolet Bel Air, 30 bids, sold for $10,100: Original mid-'50s Chevys in good condition are tough to locate these days. This Bel Air features a six-cylinder engine mated to a three-speed manual transmission. While not in perfect shape, the bumpers and trim are said to be in excellent condition, while the body seems solid enough. With today's aftermarket parts and systems, this '56 could be turned into a excellent cruiser with the latest in powertrain and brake and chassis technology, or simply left as is to be used as an inexpensive show car. Visit www.ebaymotors.com.
Top Gear
Auto-themed cufflinks, Dunhill of London, about $275, www.dunhill.com/en-us: For special occasions that require formal attire, high-end men's store Dunhill of London can fix you up with some very classy automotive-themed cufflinks. Of interest is a set that features a replica classic-style steering wheel, priced at $275, with the rim made from real briarwood, while the spokes and clasp are of sterling silver. Other styles include cufflinks in the shape of tiny little pistons as well as headlamps.
-- Wheelbase Communications
